Measles Immunisation Status

11 August 2011

Taranaki DHB Medical Officer of Health, Dr Greg Simmons, says parents should be reminded about the importance of English measles immunisation following outbreaks of the disease in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and the Waikato. In those outbreaks the vast majority of those who have caught measles are not immunised.

“The best protection against measles is to receive two doses of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine,” said Dr Simmons. “While immunisation rates are higher than ever before, 95% of the population need to have immunity in order to stop measles spreading.”

The immunisation is free and available from general practices.

Anyone up to 42 years of age who has not been immunised is also eligible for free MMR immunisation. The 42 age limit is because measles circulated widely in New Zealand prior to 1969 and those aged over 42 years are considered to be immune.

“Children who are not immunised who are exposed to measles will be excluded from school for a period of 14 days from last contact with the case. This has caused considerable disruption to families and schools in other areas but is necessary to stop the spread of this highly infectious disease.”

“I have contacted all early childhood education centres and primary schools and requested that they update their immunisation registers,” he said. “This is because if measles comes to Taranaki, exclusion of the unimmunised from preschools, primary and secondary schools will be required, unless they can produce written evidence to confirm previous immunisation or current immunity.”

Written evidence consists of either a certificate of immunisation (issued following the 4 year old immunisations), documentation in the well child (Plunket book) or a written note from an individual’s family doctor confirming immunisation.

Measles can make children very sick for up to two weeks with symptoms such as a high fever, cough, red eyes, runny nose and a rash. It often starts as an influenza-like illness. The measles rash does not appear for several days. A range of more serious complications like pneumonia can also occur, both in children and adults.

More information about MMR immunisation and measles is available on
www.health.govt.nz/immunisation
www.immune.org.nz

The free immunisation helpline 0800 IMMUNE (0800 466 863)


For more information please call
Sue Carrington
Media Adviser
Ph 021 367 789

Last updated: Thursday, July 11, 2019